Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-09-01
THE RICH AUNT.

pile of bills on the table before HIM,
and an empty pocket book placed
significantly opposite.
Il suppose must give hera present
if don't want to be cut of with
sixpence, he added with laugh, "A
present, indeed. A lucky dog l shall
be if can get credit anywhere for so
much as an emery bag or pencil case!
There's no accounting for these maiden
aunts; if she'd had the soul of grass
hopper she ought to have died long
ago, and helped me out of my difficult
ties. Sixty mine next Wednesday,
What is this world coming tor
Miss Betty Ackerley had gone for
her daily airing in the little chocolate
colored coupe, with the big chocolate
colored horse to match when her duti-
full nephew rang the door-bell. Fanny,
the maid, answered it on the minute.
Law, Mr. Maurice said she, if it
amt too bad; Misses, she's just gone
out-just this minute.
1T don't matter, said Mr.. Ackerley,
you'll do just as well, Fanny. l want
to ask your advice about birthday
gift for your mistress. Has she
expressed a wish for anything In
PARTICULAR
We'll, sir, it was only yesterday
Miss Ackerley was saying she did
most wish she had pet dog, sir.
what kind of dog?'
She didn't ezackly say, sir; but
Miss Rollins, she had just been
callin' here, with lovely white dog
with long hair
Fanny, you're trump! Here's
dollar for you. l wish it was ten
And Maurice went away secretly
exultant He knew a dog fancier, and
believed he could get dog cheap--so
cheap, in fact, that his friend, the
the fancier, might, in the end, find it
exceedingly dear I'll fix the old
woman, said he, Il hate dogs myself.
don'r admire hydrophobia. But if
this particula, dog would only be
obllging enough to 60 mad and bite
Aunt Betty, it would be an accom-
modation all round.
In the meanwhile, Mrs. Price, Aunt
Ackerley's vinegar-visaged compan-
ion, had from the easy-chair where she
was darnlng stockings, contrived to
overhear the whole collcquy. Dogs,
eh?' she said, with glare of specula-
tion in her eyes. i know maiden
lady who wants to get rid of cross
little King Charles. I'll give Miss
Ackerley a dog And accordingly
she commissioned the coachman to
bring the dog to the stable; the
coachman told his wife, who told Miss
Ackerley's niece, Mrs, Prodgett.
Dogs, indeedP said Mrs. Prodgett.
I'll buy that big Newfoundland of
Jones, the grocer. Jones says it's
eating its head off in his back cellarl
Aunt Betty never was one to care for
ours or whiffets. I'll buy Nero cheap,
and it will be good investment. For
myself. Id scorn to curry favor; but
think Aunt Betty ought to remem-
ber the dear children. Nine OF EN-
and all girls
The canine rumor also reached Mr.
Dossell. He was an old sweetheart of
Aunt Betty 8, who believed himself to
be still enshrined in her affections.
Not that I'm fool enough to marry
any old woman with one foot in the
grave, reasoned Mr.. Dossell, who was
Just one year younger than Miss
Ackerley, but it wouldn't be unplea
SAINT to be remembered in her will l
can get an italian greyhound at a
bargain. Roberts don't want to keep
it since it snapped at his baby. Deuced
bad tempers these little pets have got
I'll send the greyhound to Miss Betty
if she really wants dog.
Miss Ackerleys sixty.ninth birth
day dawned, drizzly February morn
ing. 1T is my birthday, isn't it? said
Miss Ackerly with yawn, which dis
closed her false teeth. 4 declare,
had almost forgotten.
If you have, ma'am, your friends
hasn't said Fanny. with litter 81,
of 'em, ma'am. All tied up in thu
breakfast parlor. And one under tn
sofa
six what? said Miss Ackerley
stirring her tea vigorously. 'Sl'
friends7 Tied up, eh? Well, / knew
they never agreed very well, but
didn't suppose it would come to that
Dear me, no miss, giggled Fanny
Dogs, miss! .......,
.Dogsl' Miss Betty said. DO the
suppose I keep a menagerie? Civ
me my dressing gown, quick! Let
see what all this means. She opene
the oarlor door, when curious com
mingllng of sounds saluted her ear
shrill yelps, growls of suppressed re
monstrance, and deep bayings.
huge Siberian blood hound, wit
hanging lips and bloodshot eyes. whic
turned restlessly from side to sid'
was chained to the leg Of the piano
Directly opposite, the buffet had bee
moved out of its place by the perslt
tent efforts Of Mrs. Prodgett's gift
shaggy St. Bernard to reach his frien
Al TLu1s L.,